Getting a SIM card or data plan for Mexico travel is one of the smartest things you can do if you are going to be in the country for more than a few weeks. It is extremely cheap & easy to do. The process is simple and the internet packages are actually impressive, coming with way more perks than you would think, such as free calling, texting, and browsing in Mexico, USA, or Canada!
How to Get a SIM Card in Mexico
Unlock your Phone
Most phones come unlocked from the store, but make sure yours is before you travel. Just call your cellphone provider at home and they will help you unlock it over the phone.
Pick a Company
Telcel is the most popular and has the best coverage for Mexico travel, but other companies such as Movistar and AT&T are becoming more and more attractive.
Pick a Package & Data Plan
Many cellphone packages include the following services:
- Unlimited calls in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
- Unlimited SMS in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
- Unlimited usage of social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, or Instagram).
- A certain amount of gigabytes for data & internet usage.
Most of the packages come with free-roaming which makes it a great SIM card for Mexico travel! That means if you make a trip home to Canada or the USA, your Telcel plan will work seamlessly without any extra charges.
Buy the SIM Card
OXXO is where you can do it all. It is Mexico’s favorite corner store and they are everywhere. You can buy snacks, get coffee, pay bills, send or receive international money transfers, put cash into your debit card, and get SIM cards!
Unlike most other countries around the world, you do not need your passport or ID when buying a Mexico prepaid SIM card.
Find the closest OXXO, and if you don’t speak Spanish, here are a few tips:
- Go to the counter, point to your phone, and say “chip, por favor”. They will know what you want.
- Say “Telcel” so they know to sell you a Telcel SIM card. The last time I checked, the SIM card cost under $100 MXN.
- They will hand you an envelope with your new number and a brand new SIM card.
How to Pay for Your Mexico Phone Plan
- Find the nearest OXXO store.
- Go to the counter and say: “recarga Telcel”.
- Choose the amount you would like to pay. I usually choose the $200 MXN package as it offers 3GB to use within 30 days.
- Then they will ask for your phone number. If you don’t speak Spanish, just show it to them on your phone or write it down.
- Pay and you will immediately get an SMS text confirming your package.
You can also set up auto-pay through the MiTelcel app. Download it from the app store, create an account, enter your number, and then you can easily set up monthly billing.
